Back to the Bridges, p. 187- 205, Dec 10th to Dec. 30th Summary and Analysis

Lt. Downs' platoon returns to Base Camp Montezuma, near Duc Pho, and are assigned to a position 3 km. south of the bridge they had previously guarded, still along the coastal Highway 1. RTO Rueto, the radioman returns after healing from his wounds and now works with Lt. Downs. Lt. Downs starts to think of going to flight school. In terms of the war, the Lieutenant thinks the tactics used are wrong and has many doubts. Why do the ARVN do so little? Why is his platoon unable to stay in one or two spots rather being constantly on the move? Things are relatively quiet in the new sector so far. On December 19th, Captain Sells radios a plan to trap the Vietcong...